Sunderland 0 Everton 3: Romelu Lukaku hat-trick sends Toffees third

After Adnan Januzaj’s effort ricocheted off Idrissa Gueye, the ball dropped over Defoe’s shoulder but he could only scoop it over the bar from 12 yards out.

Lynden Gooch’s cross-shot was turned over the top by Stekelenburg before half-time but the Black Cats were a beaten side the moment Lukaku pounced.

Sunderland hadn’t won a league game in August or September since 2012, a wretched run of 22 games which had shaped their subsequent campaign and after another false start, the pattern looks entrenched.